Perhaps I Can

 Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. But she had an Egyptian slave named Hagar; so she said to Abram, “The Lord has kept me from having children. Go, sleep with my slave; perhaps I can build a family through her.”

— Genesis 16:1-2

Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King,

God has given Abram a promise: a son of his own flesh and blood would be his heir. In fact, his offspring would be as numerous as the stars in the sky. Abram believed the Lord. But his wife Sarai remained childless and decided to take matters into her own hands. She begins by misinterpreting God’s intent. She solves the problem with her own wisdom. And she declares, “Perhaps I can build a family” through her slave Hagar. “Perhaps I can” are chilling words. God has spoken a promise and has said, “I will.” Sarai’s resentful response is, “God, You aren’t, so perhaps I can.”

Lord, how often have I tried to find a shortcut to Your plan and purpose? I am short-sighted and I can’t see Your full plan. So I try to make something happen in my own wisdom and through my limited understanding. For Sarai, the result of her lack of trust and misguided shortcut was the birth of Ishmael. The fruit of her sin introduced a fracture that would echo through thousands of years of human conflict between the descendants of Ishmael and the descendants of Isaac, who would eventually be born as the full promise fulfilled. Our shortcuts create painful consequences. If I simply trust You at Your word and wait patiently, You’ll show me how You will fulfill Your promises.

Lord Jesus, forgive me for my impatience and impetuousness. Even today, there are promises You have spoken that I struggle to wait patiently for. I begin to wonder, “Perhaps I can.” Instead of steadfastly believing, “My God will.” Today, I confess my desire to find a shortcut. I realize that only creates unnecessary pain. I choose to wait on You and trust that You will.

— In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen!

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